RailAmerica reports carloads

RailAmerica, Inc. reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended August 31, 2011 were 72,697, down 0.3 percent from 72,927 in August 2010. Lower coal shipments were the main reason for the decline. Excluding coal, carloads were up 3.9 percent.

The company increased shipments in August 2011 in 7 out of 12 commodity groups compared to August 2010. The largest increases were in pulp, paper and allied products, forest products, and food or kindred products. Pulp, paper and allied products were up primarily due to higher shipments in the Southeast and Central regions. Forest products strengthened primarily due to increased shipments in the Northeast and Central regions. Food or kindred products increased primarily due to stronger shipments in the Southeast, West and Central regions.

The largest declines were in coal and agricultural products.